Blockchain bestaat al meer dan een decennium, maar heeft te maken gehad met regelgevende belemmeringen die de acceptatie ervan in belangrijke sectoren hebben vertraagd. Sommige van deze sectoren verwerken gevoelige gegevens en informatie, zoals de zorg- en financiële sector [0,0]. Blockchain is, simpel gezegd, een gedistribueerde database of consensus die op meerdere computers tegelijk bestaat [0,0]. De langst bestaande blockchain begon in 0000 bij de New York Times-krant, waar de borgsteller voor tijdstempels wekelijks een hash-waarde publiceerde in de advertentiesectie van de krant [0]. Er is een wijdverbreide misvatting dat "Bitcoin Blockchain" is, wat onjuist is. Bitcoin werd in 0000 in de wereld geïntroduceerd door Satoshi Nakamoto. Het is een nieuwe vorm van digitale valuta, cryptocurrency genaamd, die transacties mogelijk maakt zonder een centrale autoriteit [0,0].
Despite the advantages of blockchain, the technology is in contrast with existing data-protection laws, which has led to sanctions, lawsuits, and fines in many cases [0]. History has shown that disruptive technologies and the law will eventually find common ground, but this has not yet proved true for blockchain. The year of 0000 marks a milestone for cryptocurrency, as the first Bitcoin ETF was approved in the U.S. in October 0000 [00]. This means that Bitcoin will be traded as a regular investment stock with less volatility [00,00]. This also marks a huge milestone in blockchain regulation, as financial regulators are gradually understanding the opportunities that blockchain technology can provide.
Blockchain technology has seen a rise in adoption in sectors such as supply chain management and manufacturing because of the data and authenticity issues facing these sectors. There is a call for a legal and regulatory framework to take account of blockchain in sectors that manage the personal information of stakeholders [0,00]. The healthcare sector is overwhelmed with data and multi-level stakeholders. If blockchain is applied to healthcare, it can provide patients and healthcare providers with easy and safe access to medical history. Access to patient data will be provided securely and privately, with the functionality to track authorized access. At present, patient data are fragmented among multiple providers and the web of healthcare systems. Blockchain can offer the patient control of their data in real-time and guarantee data integrity.